Pastel 12x18 on UArt

This painting is my memory and interpretation of a view of the estuary marsh in the late summer afternoon. The clouds are starting to build and rain will soon follow.

Let me know what you think - let's talk about art.

For full details, click on the link - thanks:

https://www.rickpetersenartist.com/.../expectations-ii...

Moon Rise on the Estuary

 Acrylic on Canvas Panel 8x19

In the quiet of evening in the late autumn, the moon has risen before the sun has set.  As the still moments linger, the dark pines catch the last rays of the sun as the moon casts its reflection across the dark water.

Late Showers

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

This small painting captures the late afternoon on the marsh when the clouds build and the rain starts to fall.  The slanting light of the sun captures the green of the marsh against the lavender of late afternoon shower.

 

Coming Through the Fog 2

Coming Through the Fog 2

Pastel, 9x12 - Rework of an earlier painting.

The original painting was done to examine a "green" landscape by replacing most of the green with purple and blue. The painting had little appeal, and the composition had no true focal area or eye-path. These are my main goals in reworking the painting.

For the rework, I used lighter, more "natural" colors and higher key to suppress details. I used soft edges and larger shapes to draw interest in the treetops in the foreground, and to create paths for the eye to travel through the painting. I wanted to add a little tension with the branches hanging without detailed support, and I repeated that theme in the background to add continuity.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting or would like more information, please see my website:

https://www.rickpetersenartist.com/workszoom/5352205/coming-through-the-fog#

Below is the original painting as it was before I started the rework.

Peace at Mid-Day

Peace at Mid-Day

Pastel on self-sanded board: 11x15

At midday in the heat of summer, the morning breeze dies away before the sea breeze picks up, and a sense of peace and stillness settles over the salt marsh.  Even the ceaseless tide seems to stop.  The clouds begin to gather, and the sun is partially hidden as a hazy light invades the deep shadows under the trees.  A softness settles on the grasses turning their greens into gold and yellow as a hint of the autumn soon to come.

This is a rework of an old painting.  I touched it up to give it new life.

Beginning

Pastel, 12x16 on UArt

As the tide starts to move and the sunlight and heat start to rise, the day begins on the estuary.  My goal is to capture the sense of stillness, cool colors, and wide vistas on the marsh as the tide begins to return and the heat of the day rises.

Painting is available, unframed, $500. To purchase, please click here.

Palms & Cedar 2

Digital Tablet Painting

Printed on W/C Paper, 5x7 signed and numbered - ArtRage1.0.0

This is a view of a small stand of palms with cedar on the edge of the estuary.  When the tide is out, they stand isolated above the sand.  

I have created these paintings so the result will have some of the appearance and freshness of a block print. 

Majesty

Pastel, 12x9 on UArt

As the afternoon showers rise over the marsh, they assemble in majestic splendor and soar into the heavens.  I have reduced the horizon to emphasize the height of the clouds against the blue sky and strength as the storm begins.

Waiting

Pastel, 12x16
As the line of showers approaches, the estuary lies in quiet expectation waiting for the rain.  The long line of pines on the shore have seen the storms come before, and they will weather this one easily.

Estuary, December Afternoon

Pastel 9x12 on UArt

This painting was done plein air at Guana Preserve.  The high, mid-afternoon sky and hazy sunlight over the estuary washed the color from the marsh and trees as it muted the contrasts in values.  For this study, my goal was to capture a true rendering of the scene and atmosphere of the afternoon.

Hazy Morning

Original work - Dec. 2016

Rework - July 2017

Pastel, 8x12 on UArt

This is another painting in a series exploring the broad horizons and muted values of the Guana River Estuary.  This painting was begun as a validation of color and design for a larger work, but I am pleased enough with the result to sign it and let it stands on its own.

Hazy came off as dull and boring, so I added color and punched the values.

I reworked this painting July 26, 2017.  I added color to the clouds, sky, and water and changed the temp of some of middle ground to repeat the pinks and reds.

Estuary, December Morning

Pastel 9x12 on UArt

This painting was done plein air at Guana Preserve.  The high, mid-morning sky and hazy sunlight over the estuary washed the color from the marsh and trees as it muted the contrasts in values.  For this study, my goal was to capture a true rendering of the scene and atmosphere of the morning. 
To purchase this painting, click here.

Slice of Light

Pastel, 9x12; Demonstration at Georgia Nick Gallery, 11/12, 13/2016

I painted this view of the salt marsh and estuary as a demonstration of pastels for Georgia Nick Gallery.  A good number of people came by, and we kept the conversation going.
On Sunday, I added a few "touches" and changed the name to emphasize the reason for painting this scene.

Estuary Summer

Pastel, 14x18 on Wallis

The clouds have passed again today without rain, but there is a possibility the clouds on the horizon could build and come in later.  The summer has stretched into a succession of long, hot days taking some of the green freshness from the marsh grasses.  As the sun lowers in the west and the shadows lengthen, the slanting sunlight brings out the bronze and reds hidden in the grass and sets the marsh ablaze with contrasts of colors and values.
As a design decision,I added the egret in order to create an object of interest to capture the passing viewer's eye, draw them into the painting, and hold their attention while their peripheral vision takes in the rest of the painting.
To purchase this painting, click here - Estuary Summer.